Comments on: United starts selling one-time access to elite-level check-in, security, and boarding http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: upgradetravel (Mark Ashley) http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-29251 upgradetravel (Mark Ashley) Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:30:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-29251 <strong>Twitter Comment</strong> <a href="http://twitter.com/upgradetravel" title="Twitter Comment" rel="nofollow"> <div class="ccimg1" title="upgradetravel (Mark Ashley)" style="float:left;margin-right:10px;padding:0;width:60px;height:60px;"> <img name="cc_image" title="upgradetravel (Mark Ashley)" style="float:left;margin-right:10px;padding:0;width:50px;height:50px;" src="http://purl.org/net/spiurl/upgradetravel"> </div> </a> @BudTravel Is this really new? They've been selling access like this for a while, at least since December. [link to post]<br /><br /> - <a href="http://chatcatcher.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Posted using Chat Catcher</a> Twitter Comment


@BudTravel Is this really new? They’ve been selling access like this for a while, at least since December. [link to post]

– Posted using Chat Catcher

]]> By: Twitter Trackbacks for United starts selling one-time access to elite-level check-in, security, and boarding | Upgrade: Travel [upgradetravelbetter.com] on Topsy.com http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-29027 Twitter Trackbacks for United starts selling one-time access to elite-level check-in, security, and boarding | Upgrade: Travel [upgradetravelbetter.com] on Topsy.com Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:10:52 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-29027 [...] United starts selling one-time access to elite-level check-in, security, and boarding | Upgrade: Tra... www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding – view page – cached United Airlines, intent on proving that anything -- anything -- is for sale, is starting sell a package of elite-esque services for $25 a pop. Premier Line — From the page [...] [...] United starts selling one-time access to elite-level check-in, security, and boarding | Upgrade: Tra… http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding – view page – cached United Airlines, intent on proving that anything — anything — is for sale, is starting sell a package of elite-esque services for $25 a pop. Premier Line — From the page [...]

]]> By: Adam http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25923 Adam Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:11:33 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25923 Not quite sure, Tino, but one thing's clear: there's all together too much P associated with United :) (on a more serious note, why not just call the levels bronze, silver, and gold? Or for uncreative literalists, "High Status" "Higher Status" "Highest Status" (though I guess that'd count out GlobalServices peeps, right?) Any way you look at it, though, the level designations are confusing. Then again, I guess this is the least of United's worries right now. Not quite sure, Tino, but one thing’s clear: there’s all together too much P associated with United :)

(on a more serious note, why not just call the levels bronze, silver, and gold? Or for uncreative literalists, “High Status” “Higher Status” “Highest Status” (though I guess that’d count out GlobalServices peeps, right?)

Any way you look at it, though, the level designations are confusing. Then again, I guess this is the least of United’s worries right now.

]]> By: Tino http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25922 Tino Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:55:44 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25922 For real. I guess it should be 100K? What woudl that make the 1Ps and 2Ps? ;) For real. I guess it should be 100K? What woudl that make the 1Ps and 2Ps? ;)

]]> By: Adam http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25921 Adam Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:44:48 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25921 Yeah, and since I've been a 1K for nearly a year now (and a 1P for a year before that), I really should have my nomenclature straight. Then again, perhaps I can be forgiven, given how lamely and mathematically-challengedly United has named 1K ;) Yeah, and since I’ve been a 1K for nearly a year now (and a 1P for a year before that), I really should have my nomenclature straight.

Then again, perhaps I can be forgiven, given how lamely and mathematically-challengedly United has named 1K ;)

]]> By: Tino http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25909 Tino Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:56:19 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25909 Adam, The magic decoder ring: 1K = Premier Executive 1K 1P = Premier Executive 2P = Premier 3P = Premier Associate (the gifted status) These are the codes which UA uses internally, and you'll find these codes on your boarding passes. (I think. Been a while since I looked.) Adam,
The magic decoder ring:

1K = Premier Executive 1K
1P = Premier Executive
2P = Premier
3P = Premier Associate (the gifted status)

These are the codes which UA uses internally, and you’ll find these codes on your boarding passes. (I think. Been a while since I looked.)

]]> By: Adam http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25891 Adam Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:41:55 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25891 I'm a 1K who isn't requalifying for 1K next year (will be a 2P or whatever the Premier Execs are called). And now I feel less bad. Especially after experiencing the actually tasty food and fine customer service on Asiana and other non-UA carriers *in Economy Class* this past year. My goodness. If elite status on United continues to mean less and less AND if I get treated more respectfully and more promptly on other carriers, even without status... I’m a 1K who isn’t requalifying for 1K next year (will be a 2P or whatever the Premier Execs are called). And now I feel less bad.

Especially after experiencing the actually tasty food and fine customer service on Asiana and other non-UA carriers *in Economy Class* this past year. My goodness. If elite status on United continues to mean less and less AND if I get treated more respectfully and more promptly on other carriers, even without status…

]]> By: Patrick http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25874 Patrick Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:11:57 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25874 What if UA were literal in their labeling of their "trip enhancements" and just called the whole package "dignity" and charged 100 bucks for the kind of treatment we used to get five years ago? I'm a 1K with United and this leaves me feeling like a big fool. UA is more than willing to sell my place in line. What won't they do to devalue my loyalty? What if UA were literal in their labeling of their “trip enhancements” and just called the whole package “dignity” and charged 100 bucks for the kind of treatment we used to get five years ago?

I’m a 1K with United and this leaves me feeling like a big fool. UA is more than willing to sell my place in line. What won’t they do to devalue my loyalty?

]]> By: How about buy on board http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25853 How about buy on board Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:29:38 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25853 How about the ludicrous "Buy on Board" program. Fly from IAD to LHR and you get free food, flight time just over 7 hours. Fly from ORD to HNL and you have to buy your food, flight time 9 hours. Where is the logic? The whole system continues to amaze me at the antiquity of rules, fare structures and fees, and we consumers are just stuck to put up with it. How about the ludicrous “Buy on Board” program. Fly from IAD to LHR and you get free food, flight time just over 7 hours. Fly from ORD to HNL and you have to buy your food, flight time 9 hours. Where is the logic? The whole system continues to amaze me at the antiquity of rules, fare structures and fees, and we consumers are just stuck to put up with it.

]]> By: Jared Rice http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25849 Jared Rice Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:21:58 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25849 I'm currently a 1P w/ UA, and the trip I'm currently on will push me to 1K (just in time, and ONLY because I just got credit for all of those devalued sub-500 mile trips - other MP members should check their accounts). I'll only really see this at the security line, but it will dilute status a touch, IF anyone actually buys it. As a soon-to-be 1K, I have every intention of sending in piles of complaints, if they don't enforce the requirement that everyone in a party that wants it buys it; hopefully their boarding passes will be clearly marked in a way that distinguishes them from actual 2P's... I’m currently a 1P w/ UA, and the trip I’m currently on will push me to 1K (just in time, and ONLY because I just got credit for all of those devalued sub-500 mile trips – other MP members should check their accounts). I’ll only really see this at the security line, but it will dilute status a touch, IF anyone actually buys it. As a soon-to-be 1K, I have every intention of sending in piles of complaints, if they don’t enforce the requirement that everyone in a party that wants it buys it; hopefully their boarding passes will be clearly marked in a way that distinguishes them from actual 2P’s…

]]> By: John Nash http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25845 John Nash Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:41:09 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25845 IMHO this is indeed a continued dilution of the elite status. Furthermore, for United to suggest that attaining Seating Area 1 status is a benefit is a misnomer, as Seating Area 1 is really Seating Area 3 (2.5 at best) with Global Service/First Class and PremEx/Gold going #1 and #2 before Seating Area 1. IMHO this is indeed a continued dilution of the elite status. Furthermore, for United to suggest that attaining Seating Area 1 status is a benefit is a misnomer, as Seating Area 1 is really Seating Area 3 (2.5 at best) with Global Service/First Class and PremEx/Gold going #1 and #2 before Seating Area 1.

]]> By: matt http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25838 matt Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:05:01 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/12/10/united-starts-selling-one-time-access-to-elite-level-check-in-security-and-boarding/#comment-25838 not sure i agree or disagree, but people may be willing to pay the $25 to board earlier and get a better shot at the now overcrowded overhead bins. it's cheaper than checking a bag and at a crappy airport like o'hare the business class line can save you 30 to 45 minutes in security... not sure i agree or disagree, but people may be willing to pay the $25 to board earlier and get a better shot at the now overcrowded overhead bins. it’s cheaper than checking a bag and at a crappy airport like o’hare the business class line can save you 30 to 45 minutes in security…

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